The playful therapist

There are no commonly accepted definitions of play or playfulness, probably because these concepts are more about how we do it than what we do. “Play seems to be more of a quality in an activity, than a certain category of activity” (von Tetzchner, 2001). There are different types of play, such as competitive play, physical play, fantasy play, constructive play.

Sometimes we play not because it is fun, but because of its healing properties. Playing can both be an expression of traumatic re-enactment and a part of the recovery process. Ninni from Tove Jansson’s story of “The Invisible Child” is brought to Moominmamma because she has become invisible.

An article by Svein Øverland printed in "THE NORDIC PSYCHIATRIST" issue 1, 2016.